Quebec Archdiocese Hit With Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Potential Pope Successor Named In Plaint

A prominent Vatican cardinal who was previously the archbishop of a Quebec Archdiocese was hit with a sexual assault lawsuit on Tuesday after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her during an event in 2010.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet was among the 88 members of the clergy named in a class-action lawsuit against the archdiocese of Quebec, with the suit representing over 100 victims spanning decades since the 1940s who were allegedly sexually assaulted by the members of the archdiocese, according to CBC.

Ouellet’s victim, who was referred to in the suit as “F,” was an intern for a pastoral agent between 2008 and 2010. She has accused him of unwanted touching and sexual assault during her tenure as an intern, including touching her buttocks and back inappropriately during a 2010 event, Global News Canada reported.

“He grabbed me and then … his hands on my back, they went down pretty low,” she said. “Quite intrusive for, let's say for someone who is my superior, who is the archbishop of Quebec."

“I felt chased after. It became more and more invasive, more and more intense to the point where I stopped attending events. I tried avoiding being in his presence as much as possible,” she continued.

“That day, more than during previous meetings, F. understood that she must flee Cardinal Marc Ouellet — the uneasiness she felt was more present than ever,” the lawsuit said.

She reportedly filed a complaint against Ouellet directly to the Vatican after telling her story to a committee dedicated to investigating the archdiocese, but has not heard back from them regarding their conclusions on the investigation.

Ouellet and the Vatican have yet to comment regarding the lawsuit or the accusations. A priest and clergy member who was informed of what happened to the woman under Ouellet, however, said that the rumors regarding Ouellet’s behavior were already out at the time, and that many knew of his alleged proclivities.

“We couldn't get over it. He arrived like a sheriff who was coming to bring order to the archdiocese of Quebec, he was sent from Rome,” the priest said. “For him to have inappropriate behavior with women, we found that really strange on his part.”